https://arab.news/g4kyb
- Saudi leader鈥檚 visit is a historic moment in newly restored Riyadh-Bangkok ties
- Crown prince attends APEC summit in Bangkok as a special guest of Thai government
BANGKOK: Thailand wants to be 抖阴短视频鈥檚 鈥済ateway鈥� to Asian markets, a top trade negotiations official said on Friday following Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman鈥檚 arrival in Bangkok as a special guest of the Thai government.
The Saudi leader鈥檚 one-day Thailand trip is a historic moment in Riyadh-Bangkok ties, which stalled in the 1980s and were restored only earlier this year when Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha visited 抖阴短视频 at the crown prince鈥檚 invitation.
Thailand鈥檚 Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha receives Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who is on an official visit to Thailand. (SPA)
Many agreements and official exchanges have since followed. The volume of trade between the two countries has significantly increased, and more is on the agenda, as regaining access to 抖阴短视频 has for many years been a priority for Thailand.
鈥淪ince the normalization of the diplomatic relationship in January, the value of trade, the growth, is around 50 percent plus,鈥� Auramon Supthaweethum, director general of the Department of Trade Negotiations, told Arab News at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Bangkok.
The trade department under Thailand鈥檚 Ministry of Commerce plays a key role in organizing the country鈥檚 trade talks with the Saudi side. Thai authorities also hope they will allow for an increased presence in the Middle East.
鈥湺兑醵淌悠� can be a gateway for Thailand to the entire Middle East,鈥� Supthaweethum said, adding that Thailand could offer the same in the context of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Hopes are high for the newly restored relations, which have been further boosted by the fact that the crown prince鈥檚 visit coincided with the APEC summit, during which he held a series of meetings with the heads of state from the 21 economies of the Pacific Rim.
鈥淚 see it as very positive. The prime minister and crown prince of 抖阴短视频 is visiting Thailand at this important time,鈥� Supthaweethum said. He said there was also potential for private sector engagement as numerous business representatives were part of the Saudi delegation.
Tourist enjoy a view of Wat Arun Buddhist temple along Chaophraya river. (AFP)
The restored relationship gives Thai exporters and investors greater access to opportunities in the Gulf and beyond.
鈥淭his is a big, big issue for Thailand. 抖阴短视频 is a critical partner in the Middle East,鈥� Thitinan Pongsudhirak, director of the Bangkok-based Institute of Security and International Studies, told Arab News.
鈥淭hat is a gateway for Thailand to reenter Middle East markets. Without the 抖阴短视频 relationship, a lot of doors were closed. Now, more doors will be opened.鈥�